The Syrian Coalition condemns the decision by United States President Donald Trump to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the US Embassy to the occupied city.

The Coalition asserts that Jerusalem is a Palestinian Arab land. Under international law, neither the Israeli occupation, as an occupying force, nor any foreign authority have the right to claim sovereignty over the city.

Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Palestine and always will be. No decision by any one can change the historical and geographical facts or take away the rights from their owners.

President Trump’s decision violates UN resolutions, including the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions. It also risks undermining the credibility of all previous and future understandings to make peace in the region as well as jeopardize all chances of reaching a lasting settlement.

The Trump administration’s decision also risks plunging the region into chaos and violence and further destabilizing the region. As occupation and terrorism are two sides of the same coin, supporting the occupation and bestowing legitimacy on it is no less a threat to peace and security than the threat of terrorism.

The Syrian Coalition calls for immediate reconsideration of the decision as well as for showing respect for the will and rights of the Palestinian people and the will of the world community.

The Coalition underscores the need for responses at various levels, including the adoption of a new UN General Assembly resolution stressing its previous positions of the issue; calling for revoking measures taken by the Israeli occupation concerning the status of Jerusalem; and condemning the transfer of diplomatic missions to the city.

Moreover, the Coalition calls for a unified position by Arab and Islamic countries to confront the decision. It also calls on Arab and Islamic countries to take all possible measures to stop the ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people and press for the complete implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Palestine. These measures are crucial to paving the way for comprehensive peace that restores rights to their original owners, most notably the Golan Heights, paving the way for a future of fruitful, constructive cooperation; and achieving security and stability in the region and beyond.

May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.Long live Syria and Palestine and long live the Syrian and Palestinian peoples, free and with honor.